'Dedicated' Mayor makes history and jokes about secret to her success

A 'tireless' and 'dedicated' councillor has been re-elected as Mayor of Sefton for a history-making fourth term.

Cllr June Burns was confirmed as Mayor of Sefton during a full council meeting in Bootle town hall this evening (Thursday May 16). It was the first meeting since the local elections earlier this month and a chance for elected members to set the priorities for a busy year ahead.

Also at the meeting, Labour councillor for Molyneux ward, Marion Atkinson was re-confirmed as the council Leader while cllrs Ian Moncur and Pauline Lappin were appointed as Deputy Leaders.

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In proposing Councillor June Burns as Mayor, cllr Atkinson said: “June has been an outstanding Mayor and we have all had fantastic feedback from our partners and community about the tireless work she does.

"Her dedication is clear for all of us to see and we wish her well for the forthcoming year.”

Sefton has elected a Mayor ever since April 1975 when Sefton Council became a Borough Council. The Mayor's duties are varied and include chairing council meetings, promoting the borough and generating support for the Mayor of Sefton's Charity Fund. This year, Mayor Burns will be supporting Sefton Women's & Children's Aid (SWACA), the Plaza Cinema and St Joseph's Hospice.

The Mayor also acts as the first citizen of the Borough of Sefton and has precedence within the borough's boundaries over everyone else. The only exceptions to this are members of The Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.

However, the role of the Mayor is non-political, and they do not have any decision-making powers.

Sefton Council has been led by the Labour Party since 2012, but is also has elected representatives from all the main political parties including the Greens who recently won their first ever seat after newly elected cllr Neil Doolin beat Labour heavyweight, Paul Cummins in Church ward. This mix of affiliations can often mean a fractious atmosphere in the council chamber, but Mayor Burns said she has her methods for establishing order. She joked: "I make good use of the gavel."

Cllr Burns added: "It's important to be fair and that's exactly what I try to be. You have to.

"I'm here to represent everyone and make sure they have the respect they're deserve and the opportunity to put their points across.

"I've lived in Sefton all my life and I feel a great sense of personal pride to say I am Mayor of this wonderful place and represent the people who live here.

"I'm really looking forward to continuing my work and especially as we are celebrating 50 years of Sefton Council this year."

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